Electrical power supply structures

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides an electrical power supply structure comprising a plurality of conductors, each conductor extending longitudinally and configured to carry high amperage electrical power, a barrier support plate comprising one or more openings for receiving the plurality of conductors, and a sealing system forming a water tight seal around the plurality of conductors in the openings, a first support structure extending longitudinally from a first side of the barrier support plate, the first support structure connected to the barrier support plate by a first flexible joint, and a second support structure extending longitudinally from a second side of the barrier support plate, the second support structure connected to the barrier support plate by a second flexible joint. Each of the first and second support structures comprises a longitudinally extending enclosure having a plurality of transversely extending conductor support members for supporting the plurality of conductors.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/847,046 filed on Dec. 19, 2017, which in turn claims the benefit ofpriority of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,965,823 filed on May 2,2017. Both U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/847,046 and CanadianPatent Application No. 2,965,823 are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to distribution of electrical powerwithin multi-story buildings.

BACKGROUND

In multi-story structures such as office towers, condominiums,apartments, and other buildings, electrical power is typicallydistributed with the use of bus ducts which run vertically throughmultiple floors of the building. At various points along a vertical busduct, connection points such as bus plugs are needed to tie in cablesthat distribute power throughout each floor. Depending on powerrequirements, construction details, and other factors at play in abuilding a bus duct may have connection points on every floor, everyother floor, or any other desired pattern.

Existing bus ducts are typically expensive and time consuming to installand replace. A typical bus duct has a number of rigid conductors, andthese conductors must be securely connected at a joint between adjacentbus duct sections, often with a blade-type connection with bolts used tosqueeze the conductors together. Such joints can present relatively highresistance, and some jurisdictions require that the bolts in the jointsof a bus duct be re-torqued every six months. Further, due to seismicconsiderations, rigid bus ducts must typically be installed with theirlonger lateral sides oriented perpendicularly to a structural wall, suchthat the area footprint required for the bus duct can be significantlylarger than the cross-sectional area of the bus duct itself.

The inventors have determined a need for improved structures and systemsfor distribution of electrical power in multi-story buildings.

SUMMARY

One aspect provides an electrical power supply structure comprising aplurality of insulated conductors, each insulated conductor extendinglongitudinally and configured to carry high amperage electrical power, abarrier support plate comprising one or more openings for receiving theplurality of insulated conductors, and a sealing system forming a watertight seal around the plurality of insulated conductors in the openings,a first support structure extending longitudinally from a first side ofthe barrier support plate, the first support structure connected to thebarrier support plate by a first flexible joint, and a second supportstructure extending longitudinally from a second side of the barriersupport plate, the second support structure connected to the barriersupport plate by a second flexible joint. Each of the first and secondsupport structures comprises a longitudinally extending enclosure havinga plurality of transversely extending conductor support members forsupporting the plurality of insulated conductors.

The electrical power supply structure may comprise a spacer block havingan opening sized to fit an outer dimension of one of the first andsecond support structures and configured to be mounted between thebarrier support plate and a floor of a building such that the barriersupport plate is held at a predetermined height above the floor.

The plurality of insulated conductors may be grouped by phase. Theinsulated conductors in each group may be arranged in a circulararrangement. The electrical power supply structure may comprise a shieldplate between groups of insulated conductors of different phases.

Another aspect provides an electrical power distribution system for ahigh-rise building with a plurality of floors. The system comprises aplurality of electrical power supply structures of the presentdisclosure arranged in a vertical stack; a plurality of tap boxes forconnecting the plurality of electrical supply structures, each tap boxconnected between two adjacent electrical power supply structures andcomprising a tap bar for each phase of electrical power, the tap barhaving a first end for connecting to all of the plurality of insulatedconductors carrying that phase of electrical power in an upper one ofthe two adjacent electrical power supply structures, and a second endfor connecting to all of the plurality of insulated conductors carryingthat phase of electrical power in a lower one of the two adjacentelectrical power supply structures. A length of each of the first andsecond support structures of each of the electrical power supplystructures is selected such that each of the tap boxes is positioned ata predetermined height above one of the plurality of floors of thehigh-rise building.

Another aspect provides a cable bus for holding a plurality of highamperage electrical cables. The cable bus comprises a supportingstructure extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a cableenclosure; and one or more shielding members extending within thesupporting structure in the longitudinal direction and dividing thecable enclosure into two or more longitudinal chambers, and a pluralityof cable support members extending in a transverse direction across thesupporting structure. The plurality of cable support members arelongitudinally spaced apart along a length of the supporting structure,and each cable support member comprises a plurality of cable holdersarranged in a plurality of groups, each group located within one of thelongitudinal chambers, such that the cable support members supportelectrical cables carrying multiphase electrical power and comprising aplurality of cables for each phase of electrical power, whereby eachplurality of cables for each phase of electrical power are supportedwithin a distinct longitudinal chamber.

Further aspects and details of example embodiments are set forth below.

DRAWINGS

The following figures set forth embodiments in which like referencenumerals denote like parts. Embodiments are illustrated by way ofexample and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of an example electrical power supply structureinstalled between two floors of a building according to one embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of FIG. 1 in isolation.

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of one of the bus sections of thestructure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C shows an example barrier support plate of a bus section.

FIG. 2D shows an example sealing system for a barrier support plate.

FIG. 3 shows a lower half of an example vertical bus section for thestructure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A shows the structure of FIG. 3 with the cover removed.

FIG. 3B shows a bottom view of the structure of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 shows a lower half of another example vertical bus section forthe structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A shows the structure of FIG. 4 with the cover removed.

FIG. 4B shows a bottom view of the structure of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows an example spacer block for the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows an example tap box for the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A shows the tap box of FIG. 6 with the cover removed.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the tap box of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a bottom view of the tap box of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D shows a single conductor connected to a bus bar of a tap box.

FIG. 7 shows a tap box according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure connected between two bus sections.

FIG. 7A shows the tap box and bus sections of FIG. 7 with portions oftheir covers cut away.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes structures for supplying electrical power amongmultiple floors of a building. Example embodiments described belowprovide structures comprising vertical conductor sections and tap boxesthat may be rapidly and securely connected to facilitate installation.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may berepeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding ofthe examples described herein. The examples may be practiced withoutthese details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, andcomponents are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the examplesdescribed. The description is not to be considered as limited to thescope of the examples described herein.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of an example electrical power supply structure10 installed between two floors F1, F2 of a building. FIG. 2 shows thestructure 10 of FIG. 1 in isolation, and FIG. 2A is a partially explodedview of the structure 10. Structure 10 comprises a vertical bus section100 extending through a hole in each floor. Each vertical bus section100 comprises a lower portion 101A extending below the floor, an upperportion 101B extending upward from the floor, and a barrier supportplate 150 between the lower and upper portions 101A and 101B. A spacerblock 200 may be provided at each floor and placed between the barriersupport plate 150 and the floor to hold the barrier support plate 150 ata predetermined distance above the floor, as discussed further belowwith reference to FIG. 5. A tap box 300 is provided between adjacentvertical bus sections 100 to provide electrical connections between theconductors thereof, and allow cables or other conductors to connectthereto, as discussed further below with reference to FIGS. 6, 6A, 6Band 6C. In FIG. 2A, the lower one of the spacer blocks 200 isillustrated between the tap box 300 and the lower bus section 100, butit is to be understood that the spacer block 200 would be slid over thelower section of lower bus section 100 such that the barrier supportplate 150 of the lower bus section 100 is atop of the spacer block 200.

FIG. 3 shows an example lower portion 101A of a vertical bus section 100for a structure such as structure 10 of FIG. 1. The lower portion 101Acomprises a support structure having pair of opposed side rails 102, aback panel 104 extending between the rails 102, and a front cover 106,which form an enclosure for a plurality of conductors 110. As seen inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the conductors are held in place within the lowerportion 101A by a plurality of conductor support members 120 extendingin a transverse direction between the side rails 102. The cable supportmembers 120 are longitudinally spaced apart along the length of thelower portion 101A. The side rails 102 of each of the lower portion 101Aand upper portion 101B of each bus section 100 may be connected to thebarrier support plate 150 (not shown in FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B) by a flexiblejoint.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, in some embodiments the barrier supportplate 150 has a central aperture 151 with a pair of lower and uppermounting brackets 152A and 152B on each lateral side of the centralaperture 151. The side rails 102 of each of the lower portion 101A andupper portion 101B of each bus section 100 are bolted to the lower andupper mounting brackets 152A and 152B, to provide a degree offlexibility in the connection between side rails 102 and support plate150.

The upper portion 101B of each bus section 100 is substantially similarto the lower portion 101A. In some embodiments the lower and upperportions 101A and 101B have the same length. In some embodiments thelower and upper portions 101A and 101B have different lengths. In someembodiments the lower and upper portions 101A and 101B are sized so thateach tap box 300 is at a predetermined height above each floor. Theconductors 110 extend through the length of each bus section 100, andterminate in attachment tabs 112 that are connected to bus bars 310 inthe tap boxes 300 as described below.

The conductors 110 are each insulated in some embodiments. Theconductors 110 may comprise flexible cables in some embodiments. Theconductors 110 may comprise rigid conductors such as pipes or the likein some embodiments. Utilizing pipes for the conductors 110 canadvantageously allow a bus section 110 to have a smaller number ofconductors 110 for carrying the same current, and fewer support members120, in comparison to flexible cables, which may result in reduced cost.In embodiments using rigid conductors 110 such as pipes, flexiblemembers such as for example metal braids are provided between conductorsand bus bars 310 to accommodate expansion and contraction of conductors110.

The conductors 110 are preferably continuous throughout the whole lengthof a bus section 100, and extend between the lower and upper portions101A and 101B through one or more apertures in the barrier support plate150. A sealing system is preferably provided around the aperturesthrough the barrier support plate 150 to provide a water tight sealaround the conductors 110. FIG. 2D shows a support plate 150 with anexample sealing system 155. The sealing system 155 comprises a sealingbarrier 156 across the central aperture 151. The sealing barrier 156 hasa plurality of holes therethough with a sealing sleeve 157 around eachhole. In the FIG. 2D example, only one phase of conductors 110 is showninserted through the holes and held within the sealing sleeves 157. TheFIG. 2D example also includes smaller holes and associated sleeves 159for receiving grounding cables (only one of which is shown). Each of theconductors 110 terminate in an attachment tab 112 at the lower end ofthe lower portion 101A, and another attachment tab 112 at the upper endof the upper portion 101B. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductors110 have generally circular cross section.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, the conductors 110 areconfigured to deliver three phase grounded electrical power, and aregrouped by phase. The conductors of each group of first phase conductors110A, second phase conductors 110B, third phase conductors 110C andneutral conductors 110N are arranged in a generally circulararrangement, as best seen in FIG. 3B. Such a circular arrangementfacilitates connection of the attachment tabs 112 to the tap boxes 300,as described below. Also such a circular arrangement provides improvedforce cancelation between the three electrical phase groups ofconductors 110 and the neutral group as opposed to other shapes.

In some embodiments, the bus sections 100 may comprise shielding. FIGS.4, 4A and 4B show an example lower portion 101A′ of a vertical bussection 100 that includes shielding. The example of FIGS. 4, 4A and 4Bis otherwise the same as the example of FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B. In theillustrated example, a shield plate 115 is provided between the firstphase conductors 110A and the second phase conductors 110B, and anothershield plate 115 is provided between the second phase conductors 110Band the third phase conductors 110C. The shield plates 115 extendcontinuously throughout the lower portion 101A′, through slots in thecable support members 120. As best seen in FIG. 4B, the shield plates115 do not extend the full depth between the back panel 104 and cover106. The shield plates 115 may be constructed from steel or aluminum insome embodiments. The thickness of the shield plates 115 may be selectedbased on forces and eddy currents on each electrical phase group andneutral group of conductors 110. In some embodiments, shield plates 115have a thickness of about 0.040″ (0.1 cm).

FIG. 5 shows an example spacer block 200 for a structure such asstructure 10 of FIG. 1. The spacer block 200 comprises a flange 202 anda riser 204 with an aperture 206 therethrough. The aperture 206 is sizedand shaped such that the lower portion 101A of a bus section 100 issnugly received therein. In some embodiments, the spacer block 200 isconstructed from steel or stainless steel. In some embodiments, thespacer block 200 may have fire retarding materials therewithin.

FIG. 6 shows an example tap box 300 for a structure such as structure 10of FIG. 1. The tap box 300 comprises a base 302 and a cover 304. Anopening between the base 302 and the cover 304 is provided on each ofthe top and the bottom for receiving the end of a bus section 100. Asseen in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, support brackets 306 extend from the base302, and bus bars 310 are attached to the support brackets 306 throughinsulating connectors 308. The bus bars 310 have holes at either end tofacilitate connection of the attachment tabs 112 of the conductors 110thereto. FIG. 6D shows a single conductor connected to each end of thebus bar 310 by means of an attachment tab 112. The bus bars 310 may alsoeach have a plurality of holes therethrough to facilitate connection ofcables for power distribution from the tap box 300. In some embodiment,the tap box 300 has partially cut holes or “knockouts” around theperiphery of the base 302.

FIGS. 7 and 7A show a tap box 300′ according to another embodiment. Tapbox 300′ has a plurality of infrared (IR) windows 303 in its cover 304.IR windows 303 facilitate inspection of the internal connections of thetap box 300′ without removing cover 304 by allowing thermal imaging ofthe connections to the bus bars 310.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electrical power supply structure comprising: a plurality of insulated conductors, each insulated conductor extending longitudinally and configured to carry high amperage electrical power; a barrier support plate comprising one or more openings for receiving the plurality of insulated conductors, the barrier support plate configured for mounting over a hole through a floor of a building; a first support structure extending longitudinally upward from an upper side of the barrier support plate; and, a second support structure extending longitudinally downward from a lower side of the barrier support plate through the hole, wherein each of the first and second support structures comprises a longitudinally extending enclosure having a plurality of transversely extending conductor support members for supporting the plurality of insulated conductors.
 2. The electrical power supply structure of claim 1 comprising a spacer block having an opening sized to fit an outer dimension of one of the first and second support structures and configured to be mounted between the barrier support plate and a floor of a building such that the barrier support plate is held at a predetermined height above the floor.
 3. The electrical power supply structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of insulated conductors are grouped by phase.
 4. The electrical power supply structure of claim 3 wherein the insulated conductors in each group are arranged in a circular arrangement.
 5. The electrical power supply structure of claim 3 comprising a shield plate between groups of insulated conductors of different phases.
 6. The electrical power supply structure of claim 1 wherein the insulated conductors comprise pipes.
 7. An electrical power distribution system for a high-rise building with a plurality of floors, the system comprising: a plurality of electrical power supply structures arranged in a vertical stack, each electrical power supply structure comprising a plurality of insulated conductors extending longitudinally and configured to carry high amperage electrical power, a barrier support plate comprising one or more openings for receiving the plurality of insulated conductors, a first support structure extending longitudinally from a first side of the barrier support plate, and a second support structure extending longitudinally from a second side of the barrier support plate, each of the first and second support structures comprising a longitudinally extending enclosure having a plurality of transversely extending conductor support members for supporting the plurality of insulated conductors; a plurality of tap boxes for connecting the plurality of electrical supply structures, each tap box connected between two adjacent electrical power supply structures and comprising a bus bar for each phase of electrical power, the bus bar having a first end for connecting to all of the plurality of insulated conductors carrying that phase of electrical power in an upper one of the two adjacent electrical power supply structures, and a second end for connecting to all of the plurality of insulated conductors carrying that phase of electrical power in a lower one of the two adjacent electrical power supply structures, wherein a length of each of the first and second support structures of each of the electrical power supply structures is selected such that each of the tap boxes is positioned at a predetermined height above one of the plurality of floors of the high-rise building.
 8. The electrical power distribution system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of insulated conductors of each electrical power supply structure are grouped by phase.
 9. The electrical power distribution system of claim 8 wherein the insulated conductors in each group are arranged in a circular arrangement.
 10. The electrical power distribution system of claim 8 comprising a shield plate between groups of insulated conductors of different phases.
 11. The electrical power distribution system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of insulated conductors of each electrical power supply structure comprise pipes.
 12. The electrical power distribution system of claim 7 wherein each electrical power supply structure comprises a spacer block having an opening sized to fit an outer dimension of one of the first and second support structures and configured to be mounted between the barrier support plate and a floor of the high-rise building.
 13. A cable bus for holding a plurality of high amperage electrical cables, the cable bus comprising: a supporting structure extending in a longitudinal direction, the supporting structure defining a cable enclosure; one or more shielding members extending within the supporting structure in the longitudinal direction and dividing the cable enclosure into two or more longitudinal chambers; a plurality of cable support members extending in a transverse direction across the supporting structure, the plurality of cable support members being longitudinally spaced apart along a length of the supporting structure, and each cable support member comprising a plurality of cable holders arranged in a plurality of groups, each group located within one of the longitudinal chambers, such that the cable support members support electrical cables carrying multiphase electrical power and comprising a plurality of cables for each phase of electrical power, whereby each plurality of cables for each phase of electrical power are supported within a distinct longitudinal chamber. 